Hi Listerines - Sometimes, you strike lucky in parish registers. Particularly if the sexton is an ancestor. Please forgive the length of this entry from the St. Peter's Mancroft parish register. It says so much more about my 2nd cousin three times removed other than he was a member of the Rifle Brigade, died of fever and is buried in the Northgate Cemetery in Baghdad (which is not under the control of the CWGC due to political instability there so I can't get a much desired photo of the grave). ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pasted into the St. Peter's Mancroft Parish Register following the entry of Ernest's baptism is the following written in Ernest's brother Douro's hand writing: "This paragraph refers to entry No. 2400, which is the last in this book. - D.T.P. (Douro Thomas Potter) Parish Magazine November 1918 - A paragraph in the 'Eastern Daily Press' of October 17th, announced the death, from fever, of Staff Sergeant Potter. He died on October 7th, in a British Hospital, at Baghdad. The notice touched on his athletic and military career. Ernest George Potter was the fourth child and third son of the late Douro T. Potter, Sexton. Born December 19th, 1872, almost within the shadow of the tower, the hallowed walls of the old Church, the flood of light in its nave, the beautiful colours of the great east window, and the sound of the glorious bells, were very early in life impressed on his memory. The entry of his infant baptism is in the registers with those of his eight brothers and four sisters. As a boy, he belonged to our choir, and may be remembered later by some of the senior members as a useful tenor, also as a member of the Norwich Festival Chorus. He had worked as a stonemason in many cathedrals and churches throughout the length and breadth of the land, and was a most enthusiastic craftsman and clever with the lead pencil. The possessor of an enviable knowledge of architectural detail, he had a rare vocabulary of the technical terms which are little known outside the masonic fraternity. Five years ago, he was entrusted with the fixing of the niche in the chancel, and the delicately moulded jambs and other new parts are his work. Not one of those who loved him (and there were many) may never be permitted to see the soldier's grave on the far-off desert of Mesopotamia. To them his shrine on earth must be the sanctuary of the Church of his forefathers, adorned by the niche of which he was so proud. It was built by clever hands which it seems but yesterday were so capable, and oh! their clasp-so strong, so warm!- D.T. Potter, Sexton" --------------------------------------- From the "Eastern Daily Press", Thursday, October 17, 1918. Page 5, column 2, paragraph 3: "ATHLETE'S DEATH AT BAGHDAD" "News has been received from the British hospital at Baghdad of the death, which occurred there on the 7th inst, of Staff-Sergeant Ernest Potter. A stonemason by trade, he will be remembered by many old members of the Norwich and of the C.E.Y.M.S. (Church of England Young Men's Society) Athletic Clubs. Rather more than 25 years ago he was the amateur champion mile runner of Norfolk, and perhaps one of the most exciting races that ever took place in this city was when Potter beat the mile champion of the Blackheath Harriers on the Lakenham Cricket Ground. On that occasion a great crowd of Norwich people burst through the barriers to cheer their own champion. Although his athletic career was short, he was the possessor of a large collection of trophies of the running track. Soon after the outbreak of war, although he was over 40, he enlisted. Volunteering for active service abroad, he was transferred to a battalion of the Rifle Brigade, and went to India in January 1916. On his arrival there he was again transferred to the Indian Supply & Transport Corps, in which service he saw much of India, and was employed in the fitting of contingents for service in Palestine & Mesopotamia. He embarked for the latter seat of war twelve months ago, and his family heard of his death on October 15th. This news was all the more sad as he was expected home on leave at Christmas. He was in his 46th year, and leaves a widow, six girls, and a boy." --------------------------